David Warner falls for a tremendous 135 on Day 1, 3rd Test against South Africa

Just when it seemed that Australia will dominate the third session too, David Warner plodded at one from JP Duminy, and AB de Villiers caught the ball as it ricocheted off his own chest. Warner’s 135 had taken him 152 runs and 262 minutes, and had included 12 fours and a six.

With Dale Steyn out with a pulled hamstring, the onus was on Vernon Philander and Morne Morkel to provide the breakthroughs. Though Morkel had provided a seemingly devastating spell before tea, the attack looked largely toothless in the final session.

With Graeme Smith depending more and more on Dean Elgar, Warner and Clarke batted away merrily. Clarke probably had his heart in his mouth when he edged one, but Smith was unsighted by de Villiers. Shortly afterwards, Warner lofted an overpitched delivery from Elgar into the mid-wicket stands.